more than better

USAGE SUMMARY

"more than better" is not a correct phrase or acceptable usage in written English.
You could use a phrase such as "even better," "much better," or "far better" in it's place. Example: The new car runs even better than the old one.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

But the brand's image needs much more than better cars.

The New York Times

Improving life chances has to mean more than better properties.

The Guardian

The IAEA taskforce, however, which is run by Massimo Aparo, may need more than better equipment.

The Guardian

But even if that's no longer an issue, it requires more than better bonuses to heal the wounds inflicted when two former rivals are forced together.

The New York Times

This means more than better schools; it includes better nutrition for children, better housing, medical care and, most urgently, universal prekindergarten programs.

The New York Times

Avoiding this waste requires more than better judicial management; it requires a reliable decision maker who can be trusted to sort good care from bad.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

To alleviate the squeeze on working-age poor, JRF has called for: Reform of the markets for essential goods and services such as energy, financial services and transport, to ensure they provide good value for money and those on low incomes do not pay more than better-off households for services.

The Guardian

Her company provides coverage to one in nine Americans, more than better-known UnitedHealthcare, Cigna or Aetna.

Forbes

S&P also said it believes business volume in 2008 will continue to fall, which will hurt CIFG more than better-established insurers.

Forbes

The RN4CAST consortium, a research group involving teams from 12 European countries, has found hospitals with less nurses during the daytime on general wards would see around 20 extra deaths a year more than better-staffed hospitals.

BBC

To date most doctors have been rewarded for providing more rather than better services.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, replace the phrase "more than better" with alternatives like "even better", "much better", or "significantly better" to ensure grammatical precision and broader acceptance in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "more than better" in formal contexts. Although it may appear in informal communication, it's crucial to opt for grammatically accepted alternatives to maintain credibility and avoid misinterpretations. Stick to established comparative forms to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more than better" functions as a comparative, attempting to describe something as surpassing a previous state of being better. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, standard English offers clearer and more accepted alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Huffington Post

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more than better" is used to express a high degree of improvement, but it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, suggesting that alternatives like "even better", "much better", or "far better" are more appropriate. While common in some contexts, its non-standard nature means it should be avoided in formal writing and professional communication. The phrase's presence across various sources such as news, science, and blogs indicates its widespread, albeit incorrect, use. To ensure clarity and grammatical correctness, stick to the suggested alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even better

Emphasizes a higher degree of improvement compared to the original.

much better

Highlights a significant difference in quality or condition.

far better

Indicates a considerably superior state or outcome.

significantly better

Underscores the substantial nature of the improvement.

considerably better

Similar to significantly better, but with a slightly different tone.

noticeably better

Focuses on the ease with which the improvement can be observed.

markedly better

Highlights the distinct and clear nature of the improvement.

appreciably better

Emphasizes that the improvement is worth noting and is substantial.

distinctly better

Emphasizes that the improvement is easily perceived and unambiguous.

substantially better

Highlights a fundamental and significant improvement.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "more than better"?

Alternatives include "even better", "much better", and "significantly better". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "more than better" in a sentence?

No, "more than better" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "even better" or "much better" instead.

When is it appropriate to use "more than better"?

While not grammatically standard, "more than better" might appear in informal speech or writing. However, it is best to avoid it in formal or professional contexts where clarity and correctness are paramount.

What is the difference between "more than better" and "even better"?

"More than better" is grammatically incorrect. "Even better" is the correct phrase. It emphasizes that something is superior to what was already good.